The Herb Society of PCHS (Preble County Historical Society) will once again be hosting their Annual Herb Faire on Sunday, May 2 from 12 noon – 5 pm, rain or shine. Admission for society members is FREE! All kid’s 18 & under are admitted FREE! Non-member admission is only $2 for adults. The Preble County Historical Center is located at 7693 Swartsel Road, Eaton, Ohio, six (6) miles southeast of Eaton and one (1) mile northwest of Gratis, accessible off St. Rt.122.
The day will be filled with educational programs, great music, nature, environmental programming, and good food! There will be something for everyone’s interest at the Herb Faire on May 2. Presentations and programs begin at 12 noon, starting with a guided medicinal trail hike along Aukerman Creek Trail. At 1 pm, Master Gardener Judy Shillinglaw will present “Dill-Herb of Year”. “Composting with Worms” will follow at 2 pm, presented by Peggy Branstrator. Peggy Branstrator is Senior Lecturer in Biology at IU East, Richmond, IN. She has taught a wide variety of courses including zoology and earth science, as well as biology. Mrs. Branstrator did her undergraduate work at Earlham College and taught HS biology and general science in Cincinnati before getting her MS in Biology from University of Cincinnati.
“Those Extraordinary, Ordinary, Garden Herbs! Let’s Make a Tea!”, a delightful program presented by a delightful lady, Janelle Foust, who will show & tell how to make healthy and delicious teas from our yard and garden plants. To finish out the afternoon of the many uses of herbs, “Dill”icious, Cooking with the Herb of the Year”, a fun hands-on cooking demonstration by Herb Society members Caroline Croswell and Andrea Seaborn.
Our Herb Plant Sale will be the highlight of the day! Herb Society members hope to entice garden enthusiasts to think beyond the ordinary Thyme and Basil plants. Cooks and gardeners alike will be interested in trying new unique flavors and aromas to add a little spice and adventure to recipes and flower beds. In addition, aromatic scented geraniums and Everlastings will be available, which can be dried for beauty and pleasure long after the last frost. The best part of this year’s herb offering is that the plants are being raised in Preble County! Herb Society members will be on-hand to assist customers in selecting the right herb plants for their gardens. Visitors can sample a variety of tasty herb dips and teas.
Just for kids: Herb Society member, Wendy Aker, will present Children’s hands-on fun and educational gardening program throughout the day. “KIDS DIGGING IN THE EARTH” will involve kids of all ages in hands-on activities to acquaint them with the pleasures and benefits of gardening and being more environmentally responsible. By transplanting vegetable and flower plants that compliment each other, they’ll learn about the cycle of planting, growing, harvesting, including collecting the seeds, and later returning the plants in the fall back to compost and the earth to begin the cycle again next year. A variety of easy to implement gardening and environmental tips will be offered throughout the event.
The Miami Valley Reenactors will demonstrate Native American campfire cooking with herbs in front of the 1813 Lewisburg Log House. In addition, traditional woodworking demonstrations of split rail fence making, wood shaving horse will also be demonstrated. See how pioneers tackled some of their tedious tasks!
The Preble County Citizens for Green Living group will be available during the day to answer questions about their mission: To raise awareness, educate, encourage, support ourselves, and our community, through various endeavors of the need and means to live more Green and Earth-Friendly to ensure a safer and cleaner environment now and in the future.
Another highlight of the day is our Adopt-A-Plant program, under the guidance of the Miami University Institute of Environmental Science (IES) student group. A 3.6-acre wetland has been restored at the Historical Center. The IES group has been developing a master plan for future wetland programming, titled Historic Wetland Education. In their plan is the continuation of the wetland development, including the purchase and planting over 4600 wetland type plants. YOU will have the opportunity to purchase some of the plants to help establish the wetland. Moreover, the best part of the day … YOU will have the chance to plant YOUR plants in our wetland! Come prepared with boots and gloves and join in the fun by helping to restore the wetland! Price of the plants is only $5 each! By purchasing the plants, you will be playing an important role in establishing the new wetland! Certificates of participation will be presented to all who participate. IF you don’t want to plant YOUR plants, Boy Scout Troop 107 will be hand to help! A wetland provides many environmental benefits: provides wildlife habitat, decreases land erosion, reduces accumulation of nutrients, helps to control flooding, filters surface run-off. Prairie grass, trees, and shrubs remove carbon dioxide in the air we breathe. It’s a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Wetlands are also a place of beauty.
Highlighting our musical entertainment for the day will be Calamity Rain and the Oxford Gourd & Drum Ensemble! Sit back and enjoy their gentle tunes while eating a bit of lunch! The lunch stand will offer sandwiches, side dishes, and homemade pies. Historic buildings will be open for touring. For more information, call the Historical Center at (937) 787-4256, or by Email: preblecohistsoc@brecnet.com, or visit our web site: www.pchs.preblecounty.com Begin your 2010 gardening season at The Herb Faire!